Telegraph transmitter



May 22, 1928.

'J. RIDDLE TELEGRAPH TRANSMI TTER Filed May '7, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l Zhwentor,

J. RlDDLE TELEGRAPH TRANSMITTER May 22, 1928. 1,670,986

Filed May 7, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR,

JOHN RIDDLE;

By His AttW- Patented May 22, 1928 UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN RIDDLE, OF LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR T0 TELEGRAPH CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE COMPANY, LIMITED, 01 LONDON, ENGLANDQ TELEGRAPH TRANSMITTER.

Application filed May 7, 1927, Serial No. 189,662, and in Great Britain June 25 1926.-

This invention relates to improvements in or relating to telegraph transmitters.

Transmitting apparatus constructed according to the present invention comprises a rotatable disk, a'plurality of outwardly biassed plungers of conducting material, located in recesses in thedisk, and a conducting surface, such as a roller formed of or faced with'conducting material and located in close proximity to the path or paths of the said plungers, the arrangement belng such that when a signal strip is passed between the' roller and disk, contact is made between a plunger and the roller at such places as the strip is punched.

\Vhen the invention is applied to transmitting apparatus for transmitting signals, adapted to be actuated by a standard punched strip for reverse currentsignalhng, the apparatus preferably comprises a pair of disks and rollers, made as described above, and insulated from one another. This may conveniently be effected by means of a third disk formed of insulating material and provided with pins or spurs adapted to engage the central holes in the strip.

In one form of construction the apparatus consists of two metal disks which are insulated from each other by a third disk of vulcanite orother insulating substance. These disks are rotated as one. Each of the metal disks is provided at its'periphery with a ring. of radial recesses in which are located balls of suitable metal which project through the signal holes in the punched strip wherever they occur. The diameter at the outer ends of the recesses is made less than that of the balls, so that these latter are retained in the recesses.

Located in each recess is a spring which normally presses the ball outwards so that this latter normally projects beyond the periphery of the disk.

Two rollers are held in position above each ring of balls, and means are provided sulating disk, contact is .made between the,

rollers and the balls at such places as the strip is punched.

lVe have found that with an instrument tially the time taken by one complete revolu-' tion of. the disk, elapses before the ball is acted upon again. I

Preferably we provide means-by which the time of contact and earthing can be con? trolled. Such means may consist of a switch device inserted-in effective series in a line and adapted to limit the duration of a contact period. downward from a maximum of full contact, 'i. e. from a maximum when the switch device never breaks circuit. Such control of the contact and earthing periods can be effected in various different ways. in one arrangement there is employed for this purpose a diskof insulating material in which radial arms of metal are embedded and'converge to a common hub. A brush of any suitable material or form is held in a traveller so that it can be brought towards the ,middle of the said disk, in which position it makes continuous contact with the metal arms. When it is brought to the greatest diameter of the disk, the marking current may be 40% or less.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, of which Figure 1 is a plan view of a transmitter in accordance with the invention, Figures 2, 3 and at are detail views and Figures 5 and 6 are detailed views of two modifications.

Referring to the Figures, 1 and 2 are two metal disks which are insulated from each cess is a'spring 7 which normally presses the ball outwards so that. this latter normally projects beyond the periphery of the disk.

Two rollers 8 are held in position above each ring of balls, and means, to be described hereinafter, are provided by which their position can be accurately adjusted.

9 is the signal punched paper which is run through the apparatus by means of the spurs 10 on the insulating disk, and it will be seen thatcontact will be made between the rollers and the balls at such places the strip is punched.

The punched strip 9 is held in. position by a guide 11 (Figure 2) which is of substantially the same radius as the drum, and is out out to clear the balls and. spurs. Ten- 'sion is applied by means ofa springlil which is adjustable.

The strip is carried to the drum by. way of a flattened tube13, the end of: which leads the strip to the periphery of the drum Whenit engages with. the spurs 10. It is then carried away through alike tube 14, which is flush with the drum on the opposite side. i 1

The rollers 8, which are preferably grooved to the radius of the balls, as shown in Figure 3, are held in positionloy brackets 25 (Figures land 3) which have two parallel arms 15, 16, one above the other. The lower arm 15 is flexible to a certain extent, and Carries the roller, while the upper arm 16 is as rigid as po.ssible,-and carries a set screw 17 which, when screwed down, presses the arm carrying .the rollercloser to the.

drum. A transverse screw 18 is provided and serves as a locking device.

The apparatus illustrated in the figures comprises means by which the time of contact and earthing can be controlled. These said means comprise a disk 19 (Figure i) of insulating material, in which radial arms 200i metal are embedded, the said arms converging to a common hub 21.

22 isa carbon or other suitable brush carried in atraveller 23, whereby it may be traversed across the disk from a position in which it makes continuous contact with the metal arms or with the hub (giving 100% marking. or block signals) substantially to the etge of the disk. A second brush 24L, rubbing continuously on the hub, is employed to complete the circuit. W hen the brush 22 is brought to bear at the greatest diameter of the disk, the marking current may he 40% or less.

In a modification illustrated scl' ematically in Figure 5, the means for controlling the time of contact and earthing comprise a timing disk formed as an ordinary commutator 26, with the conductor bars 27 arranged round the periphery and asuitable width of insulation 28 between each bar. A horseshoe-shaped brush 29 bears on the disk, the brush having two contacts 30, 31, which spring from a common conducting base. Means, such as a right and left handed screw 32 are provided for bringing the two brush contacts together, in which position there is minimum time contact. are arranged to be separable until they bridge one conductor bar with the neXt; in this position there is 100% marking.

The transmitter can be used in conjunction with any standard pattern relay.

In a further modification illustrated schematically in Figure 6, the time of contact and earthing is governed by a cam 33 which rotates once for each cent-re hole and thereby brings together a pair of contacts 34, the periodo't contact being adjustable by means of the screwed nut 3.5. The operation of this device will be obvious from the figure.

I claim 1. Telegraph transmitting apparatus comprising in combination a disk shaped contactdevice,'a plurality of recesses therein, outwardly biassed conductive plungers in said recesses,electrical connection means cooperating with said plungers, an electrical The said contacts circuit including said conductive plungers and said electrical connection-means, and. means for rotating said disk shaped contact device.

2. Telegraph transmitting apparatus comprising in combination a pair of contact disks, a plurality of recesses therein, outwardly biassed conductive plunger-s inusaid recesses, electrical connectionm-eans co perating with said plungers, an electrical circuit including said conductive plungers and said electrical connection means, and means for rotating said pair of contact disks.

Telegraph transmitting apparatus comprising in combination a pair of contact disks, a plurality of recesses therein, out' wardly biassed conductive plungers in said recesses, electrical connection means co-operating with said-plungers, an electrical circuit including said conductive plungers and said electrical connection means, signal tape driv ing means associated with said contact disks, and means for rotating said pair of contact; disks and said signal tape driving means.

4. Telegraph transmitting apparatus comprising in combination a pair ot'fcontactv disks, a plurality of recesses therein, outwardly biassed conductive plungers in said recesses, electrical connection means co-operating with said plungers, an electrical circuit including said conductive plnngers and said electrical. connection means, an insulating disk having spurs thereon and located between the pair of cont-act disks, and means for rotating said pair of contact disks and said insulating disk.

5. Telegraph transmitting apparatus com prising in combination a. disk shaped contact device, a plurality of recesses therein, outwardly biassed conductive plungers in said recesses,,conductive roller means for effecting electrical connection co-operating with said plunger-s, an electrical circuit including said conductive plungers-and said conductive roller means, and means for rotating said disk shaped contact device.

6. Telegraph transmitting apparatus comprising in combination a pair of contact disks, a plurality of recesses therein, outwardly biassed conductive plungers in said recesses, conductive roller means for effecting electrical connection co-operating with said plun ers, an electrical circuit including said conductive plungers and said conductive roller means, an insulating disk having spurs thereon and located between the pair of contact disks, and means for rotating said pair of contact disks and said insulating disk.

7. Telegraph transmitting apparatus comprising in combination a disk shaped contact device, a plurality of recesses therein, outwardly spring biassed conductive. balls in said recesses, electrical connection means cooperating with said balls, an electrical circuit including said conductive balls and said electrical connection means, and means for rotating said disk shaped contact device.

8. Telegraph transmitting apparatus comprising in combination a pair of contact disks, a plurality of recesses therein, outwardly spring biassed conductive balls in said recesses, electrical connection means cooperating with said balls, an electrical circuit including said conductive balls :iid said electrical connection means, and means for rotating said pair of contact disks.

Telegraph transmitting apparatus comprising in combination a pair of contact disks, a plurality of recesses therein, outwardly spring biassed conductive balls in said recesses, electrical connection means co-' operating with said balls, an electrical circuit including said conductive balls and said electrical connection means, an insulating disk having spurs thereon and located between the pair of contact disks, and means for rotating said pair of contact disks and said insulating disk.

10. Telegraph transmitting apparatus comprising in combination a pair of contact disks, a plurality of recesses therein, outwardly spring biassed conductive balls in said recesses, conductive roller means for effecting electrical connection co-operating with said balls, an electrical circuit including said conductive balls and said conductive roller means, an insulating disk having spurs thereon and located between the pair of contact disks, and means for rotating said pair of contact disks and said insulating disk.

11. Telegraph transmitting apparatus comprising in combination a disk shaped contact device, a plurality of recesses therein, outwardly biassed conductive plungers in said recesses, adjustable electrical connection means co-operating with said plungers, an electrical circuit including said conductive plungers and said adjustable electrical connection means, and means for rotating said disk shaped contact device.

12. Telegraph transmitting apparatus comprising in combination a pair. of contact disks, a plurality of recesses therein,-outwardly biassed conductive plungers in said recesses, adjustable electrical connection means co-operating with said plungers, an electrical circuit including said conductive plungers and said adjustable electrical connection -means, an insulating disk having spurs thereon and located between the pair of contact disks, and means for rotating said pair of contact disks and said insulating disk.

13. Telegraph transmitting apparatus comprisingin combination a pair of contact disks, a plurality of recesses therein, outwardly spring biassed conductive balls in said recesses, conductive roller means for effecting adjustable electrical connection cooperating With said balls, an electrical circuit including said conductive balls and said conductive roller means, an insulating disk ha"- ing spurs thereon and located between the pair of contact disks, and means for rotating plaid pair of contact disks and said insulating isk.

14. Telegraph transmitting apparatus comprising in combination a disk shaped contact device, a plurality of recesses therein, outwardly biassed conductive plungers in said recesses, electrical connection means co-operating with said plungers, an electrical circuit including said conductive plungers and said electrical connection means, means for controlling the relative times of contact and earthing, and means for rotating said disk shaped contact device.

15. Telegraph transmitting apparatus comprising in combination a pair of contact disks, a plurality of recesses therein, out- Wardly biassed conductive plungers in said recesses, electrical connection means co-operat-ing with said plungers, an electrical circuit including said conductive plungers and said electrical connection means, an insulating disk having spurs thereon and located between the pair of contact disks, means-for controlling the relative times of contact and earthing, and means for rotating said pair of contact disks and said insulating disk.

16. Telegraph transmitting apparatus comprising in combination a pair of contact disks, a plurality of recesses therein, outwardly spring biassed conductive balls in said recesses, conductive roller means for effecting electrical connection co-operating with said balls, an electrical circuit including said conductive balls and said conductive roller means, an insulating disk having spurs thereon and located between the pair of contact disks, means for controlling the relative times of contact and earthing, and means for rotating said pair of contact disks and said insulating disk.

17. Telegraph transmitting apparatus com prising in combination a disk shaped contact device, a plurality of recesses therein, outwardly biassed conductive plungers in said recesses, electrical connection means co-operating with said plungers, an electrical circuit including said conductive plungers and said electrical connection means, means comprising a rotatable insulating disk provided with 1 a plurality of radial conductive arms cooperating with adjustably positioned brushes bearing upon the face of saidinsulating disk, for controlling the relative times of contact and ear-thing, and means for rotating said disk shaped contact device.

18. Telegraph transmitting apparatus comprising in combination a pair of contact disks, a pluralityof recesses therein, outwardly biassed conductive plungers in said recesses, electrical connection means copperating with said plungers, an electrical circuit including said conductive plungers and said electrical connection means, an insulating dis-z having spurs thereon and located between the pair of contact disks, means comprising a rotatable insulating disk provided with a plurality of radial conductive arms co-operating with adjnstably positioned brushes bearing upon the face ofsaid insulating disk, for controlling the relative times of contact and earthing, and means "for rotating said pair of contact disks and said insulating disks. i-

19. Telegraph transmitting apparatus comprising in combination a pair of contact disks, a plurality of recesses therein, outwardly spring biassed conductive balls in said recesses, conductive roller means for effecting electrical connection co-operating with said balls, on electrical circuit including said conductive balls and said conductive roller means, an insulating disk having spurs thereon and located between the pair of contact disk-s, means comprising a rotatable in sulat-ing disk provided with a plurality ot radial conductivearn'is co-operating with adjustably positioned brushes bearing upon the face of said insulating disk, for controlling the relative times of contact and earthing, and means for rotating said pair of contact disks and said insulating disk.

in testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name this 21st day of April, 1927.

JOHNVRIDDLE. 

